Archive for consumer safety

Burn Injuries from Product Defects in WA – Holding Manufacturers Accountable

Burn Injuries from Product Defects in WA – Holding Manufacturers Accountable

Burn injuries are among the most painful and life-altering injuries a person can suffer — and when they’re caused by a defective product, the legal stakes are even higher. In Washington, product liability law protects victims of faulty appliances, batteries, electronics, clothing, and even furniture that ignite or overheat due to poor design or manufacturing defects.

How does a product cause a burn injury? It could be an exploding lithium battery, a space heater that catches fire, or cookware with handles that melt. Even children’s pajamas that fail to meet fire safety standards can become a legal liability. The key question in every case is this: was the product unreasonably dangerous when used as intended?

Victims don’t need to prove the company was negligent. Washington allows strict liability claims — meaning if the product was defective and caused harm, the manufacturer can be held responsible, even if they didn’t intend any harm. Retailers and distributors may also share in the liability.

What about user error? Manufacturers often try to blame consumers for misusing the product. But when a product lacks proper warnings, has unclear instructions, or fails under normal conditions, the law typically sides with the injured party. Photos of the aftermath, damaged products, receipts, and packaging all become key evidence in proving the case.

What kinds of burns qualify? First-degree burns are typically not enough on their own, but second- and third-degree burns that lead to hospitalization, surgery, or scarring usually meet the threshold for legal action. Permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, or psychological trauma from the incident can also factor into a claim.

Can you sue for burns caused by imported goods? Yes — Washington courts allow lawsuits against U.S.-based retailers and distributors of foreign products. Even if the item was made overseas, liability often extends to the companies that profited from selling it.

What damages are available? Compensation may include medical bills, rehabilitation, plastic surgery, lost income, emotional distress, and long-term care. If the company ignored prior complaints or safety reports, punitive damages may also apply.

Burn injury cases often lead to product recalls, new safety warnings, and changes in manufacturing processes. Legal action doesn’t just help the victim — it can prevent others from suffering the same harm.

If you or someone you know was burned by a consumer product in Washington, don’t assume it was your fault. The product may have been dangerous all along — and the law is on your side.

E‑Bike and E‑Scooter Lithium Battery Explosions – Product Liability and Consumer Danger

E‑Bike and E‑Scooter Lithium Battery Explosions – Product Liability and Consumer Danger

E-bikes and e-scooters are everywhere — from city streets to delivery fleets to suburban garages. But behind the convenience lies a growing legal risk: lithium-ion battery fires. These devices have sparked lawsuits across the country, including in Washington, where injured riders and homeowners are beginning to hold manufacturers accountable for fires, burns, and property damage caused by defective or poorly made batteries.

What happens when your mode of transportation becomes a fire hazard? Lithium-ion batteries can overheat, explode, or ignite when they’re overcharged, punctured, exposed to high temperatures, or manufactured with internal defects. For some, the danger doesn’t appear until the scooter is parked inside a home, or the battery is charging silently in a garage.

The central legal issue is product liability. Were the batteries properly tested? Did the manufacturer issue appropriate warnings? Was the charger included with the device UL-certified? These questions determine whether a manufacturer or retailer is responsible for injuries caused by thermal runaway — the chemical reaction that can trigger an explosion or fire in faulty batteries.

Is the manufacturer always liable? Not always — but in many cases, they are. If a battery was defectively designed, poorly assembled, or lacked safety mechanisms, that’s grounds for strict liability. Retailers may also be responsible if they failed to warn customers, sold devices without proper certifications, or ignored safety recalls. In some cases, victims may also have claims against importers or shipping companies, especially when the product was sourced from overseas and sold in the U.S. market.

Do riders have any responsibility? Riders may be accused of misusing the device, overcharging the battery, or exposing it to moisture. But most e-bike and scooter owners use these devices exactly as intended. When something explodes during routine use — or while charging overnight — the courts often side with consumers, especially when no clear warning was provided.

What evidence helps in a battery fire case? Photos of the damaged device, the charging area, and any remaining packaging can be critical. So can surveillance video, receipts, and the device’s instruction manual. In many cases, the battery itself is sent to a forensic lab for testing. Attorneys often bring in battery experts or electrical engineers to reconstruct what went wrong and why.

Why does this matter to homeowners and tenants? E-bike battery fires can cause serious structural damage. If your insurance claim is denied or underpaid, a product liability claim may be your best path to full compensation — not just for physical injuries, but for property loss, temporary relocation, and emotional trauma.

As micromobility devices grow in popularity, the need for legal accountability grows with them. Cities may adopt stricter regulations. But for now, the burden often falls on individual consumers to fight back after an injury — and make sure dangerous products are pulled from the market before someone else gets hurt.